Staff Reporter
The Speech-Language Therapy Unit of Hamad Medical Corporation is observing its fourth ‘Speech, Language and Swallowing Disorders Awareness Month’ during March.
The programme with the theme ‘New horizons in intervention of speech, language and swallowing disorders,’ is aimed at increasing awareness regarding the role families can play in combating the problem.
“We also want to enlighten the public about the services offered by our unit, and highlight the importance of early detection and intervention of speech, language and swallowing disorders,” unit head Dr Amal Idris Ahmed said.
It is estimated that 10-15% of people has speech, language or swallowing disorders, which would constitute a serious hindrance to their integration with the society, she explained.
Speech therapist Ibrahim al-Ayaseh and speech language pathologist Tarek Omar were also present on the occasion.
There are workshops by two visiting speech language pathologists. Dr Sylvia Campbell (US) will speak on paediatric dysphasia and right hemisphere language disorders (clinical practice) on March 8 at Rumailah Hospital.
Dr Fawzia Abdulla (Canada) is to lead the workshop on evidence-based practice in childhood language disorders and licombe programme in treating stuttering on March 9, also at Rumailah Hospital.
An open day event is scheduled on March 16 at the Dahl Hamam Park (near Landmark Mall) for direct communication with the public.
Educational materials, including brochures on speech, language and swallowing disorders, and gifts are to be given away during the occasion.
The Speech-Language Therapy Unit treated a total of 14,233 patients during 2006. The majority were outpatient children who numbered 10,331 (72%), followed by 1957 (14%) inpatient adults, 1284 (9%) outpatient adults, and 661 (5%) inpatient children.
In all, 47% of the patients had developmental language disorders, including specific language impairment, late talkers, autistic spectrum disorders, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and children with developmental delays.
The second largest segment, 21%, was rehabilitation and other medical cases requiring acute care and long-term rehabilitation, including stroke and traumatic brain injury.
This category also featured patients who have undergone tracheotomy, laryngectomy, those with swallowing disorders, and neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
The remaining 32% comprised those including 10% each with voice disorders and hearing disorders, 7% with stuttering, and 5% with articulation/phonological disorders, developmental verbal dysphasia, and cleft of lip and palate. |
